CHAPTER 11- AEWA

E L A R I E N

Steak was beautifully toasted. Komori love it so much it makes her famished, the aroma makes me drool. Didn't knew Aewa can cook this beautifully. It's perfectly juicy. Its fresh at bagong hunt lang ni Nyne sa gubat kasama si Ram.

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After that we've continued are next journey to find the second deity which is Jamai. A normal dream as Naea told me lately. She was located at the Rimara rainforest amazon and this forest well mostly wild animals habitat. Spike held Komori and gave her s snack and they both get along so well. Pero pinagpasa pasahan din nila isa isa kase no one can refused such angelic face she had. She enchant us.

"Amazonian bandit are pretty clos-"

Nyne stop walking after hearing something. The flocks of bird flew away from the trees, making noises. Alarming us something is coming. He slowly reached for his sword. I had to secure little Komori. I felt my throat choked me ; trembling for I had to witnessed a type of people who killed incompetent souls like me. I have no matched for them my body is too weak against those savages.

Aewa hid us from her back and spike too. Others keep on a look out until the moment we are under attacked. I couldn't see anything because of the bushes. Wind whistling through trees, but I can hear their blades and it terrifies me as the memory came flashing in an instant.

Inilabas kolang ang natatangi kong dart.

"Stay here!"-Spike said. Hinahawakan kolang si komori and keep on guard. I heard branches cracks and for an instant I knew I was in trouble. I picked her up and take the opportunity escaped before it could take advantage of us... It's was nowhere to ran, it's a dead end. I leaned back, swallowing the thick lump of emotion that had formed in my throat. There's a vision in my head how my life ended today..

They began to attack and I throw my dart and hit one of his comrade on his eyes and he loses his balance and fell on the cliff. Komori rushed away and I began to panicked. Inatake nila ako at mabuting napigilan ko ang pagtama ng isang itak pero mabilis niya itong inalis at muntikan akong matamaan sa sikmura at mabuting nailagan ko. I use all of my strength to forbid them to touch my baby. Komori came back and throw a sword and It landed nearby. I kicked him down on his sensitive part and I grabbed the sword and had countered attacked them. If I didn't stop that blade my brain will be smashed like some potato.

I know I didn't master sword art but I had to protect the Deity. I hid her behind my back. I'm panicking and scared. I still withdraw them my sword. I'm not use to see blood nor even planned to kill anyone. Sabay sabay silang umatake at bilis kong dinampot si komori at natamaan ako sa likuran pero binalewala ko nalang. Tumakbo lang ako pero di narin ako nakatakas. nakapalibot na sila.

"NAEA!! SPIKE HELP!!"-sigaw ko.

"Mama!!"-sigaw ni komori at pilit inaabot ang kamay ko na papalayo na kame at nakita naming hinahabol ako ng aking kasamahan. They lead us to the bridge and I had loose them the bandits broke the bridge leaving them behind.

Binagsak nila kame sa tabi ng malaking puno at niyakap kolang si komori at pareho kaming natakot habang nasasayahan sila samin. Di ako nakapag isip ng maayos sa mga nakikitang kong matatalim nilang itak. May biglang humapas nito at napasigaw ko. Ramdam kong ang sakit sa king balikat at hindi niya pinatuloy. Napangiwi ako sa itak na pumasok saking balat. Nagtawanan lang sila at walang humpay ang paghagulgol ko sa takot.

Dinampot nila ako at tumakbo papunta saakin si komori at hinawakan nila. Bigla nilang pinunit ang aking mga damit hanggang sa hubot hubad na ako humingi ako ng tulong pero wala nang makakatulong pa sakin. Apat na tao ang humahawak sakin sa kamay at sa paa. Ibinakaka nila ako at pinit kong pumiglas pero hindi ko nalamangan ang lakas ng mga lalake. May humarap sakin na isa sakanila at masaya itong nahubad.

"SAKLOLO!!!"

Napapikit lang ako sa sakit dahil sa pagtusok saking ari. Pero napigilan naman ng may humila sa kaniya at may dumampot sakin at bilis akong binalot ni Aewa. I saw how she clenched her fist. I heard a growl behind her throat. An immense heat blazing out of her "You bitch!" the bandits just laughed as they outnumber her. They began to attack but before they could go near her, they were cut in half and I didn't even see she moved from where she was standing and the next moment she was standing behind the dead bandits.

I didn't see her this serious. But I didn't mind, she save me. She wipes her blade and put it back to her sheaths and narrowed her eyes at me and came closer and covered me completely in a cloth, I wrapped it around me and I was shocked as she lift me on her hand. I buried my head on her chest, I awe her so much before those savages took advantage of me. Lumalayo na kami at sumagi sa isipan ko si komori naiwan namin.

"Komori. Naiwan ko si komori--"

"She's fine, spike has her"-aniya. Ive never felt so safe on her hand. I began to sobbed but she hussed me. Its traumatizing that someone just trying to steal something away from you. Muntikan pa akong mapaglaruan ng mga hayop na yun "S--salamat aewa"

"Hindi kaba nagalaw nila"

"M--muntikan na. T-thank you aewa"

"You don't have to thank me, I'm sorry for being late maraming umatake sakin kanina.."

Binaba niya ako at inabotan akong damit at tumalikod siya sakin. Bilis kong tinakpan ang hubad kong katawan at humarap na siya. Nakita ko ang bakas ng pag aalala sa kanyang mga mukha at hinawakan ang aking braso, nakalimutan kong may sugat na natamo ko pala kanina. Bilis niyang ginamot ito hanggang sa mawala na kasama Ang sugat ko sa likuran . Inayos niya ang robe at tinaling maayos ang tali saking bewang. Inabot niya rin sakin ang kanyang isang acupuncture needle. I have seen this in my old books but I haven't seen one in person.

"Mamaya tuturuan kita pano gumamit niyan para walang sinuman ang makakagagawa ulit sayo nun. I won't forgive myself if something bad might happen to you.."

Bilis akong tumango at hinablot niya ako. Bilis niyang tumakbo at sinasabayan ko nalang siya at panay iwas lang sa mga sanga na nakaharang. A few miles until I saw them running toward us at may mga bakas na dugo sa kanilang mga damit at nasugat naman ang iba. Bilis silang ginamot ni Aewa habang nakaupo sila sa damuhan.

"MAMA!!"-boses palang nakaramdam na ako ng sobrang saya ng makita ko siyang nakalahad ang kamay sa ere at niyakap ako ng mahigpit.

Ram scan me at dinampot ako at ramdam ko ang paa ko na di nakatapak sa lupa. Parang dinala niya lang ako na parang manok "Hindi ka ba--"

"I'm fine Aewa save me.." I said and Ram sighed in relief and began ruffling my hair. I saw Nyne narrowed his eyes on Aewa direction and started to grin but Aewa snorted and glared at him with a mix of annoyance.

"Thank goodness. Mabuting dumati ka kaagad para mailigtas siya" Naea said her gratitude and Aewa just simply nod once

They withdraw their sword together and blade slowly turns to reshaped into something new. The forms and designed change. They began to smile, ear to ear happiness. And they bump fist each other and put them back again. The recovery was fast at nagpatuloy lang kami pero nabibigla ako sa mga tawa ng mga bandit at kung pano nila ako binaboy. I flinched and almost hit spike on her face

"Shit!"- spike curse and flinched and move away a few steps from me.

"I-im sorry!"

"You okay? Youalmost hit me?!"

"Spike don't, she's was traumatized after those bandit did something.."-Aewa defended me. I lower my face to the ground i'm really scared. Impromptu of what happen. Ramdam kolang ang paghawak sakin ni baby at nakita ko siyang umiiyak. I causes her to feel sad. Ngumiti lang ako sa kanya at huminga ng malalim.

"I'm sorry it's just.."

"No need to, I shouldn't have reacted that harshly"

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They stop at the lake and washed their clothes that has stain with blood after battling with those bandits. Naglalaro lang si komori sa tubig at lumuksong palaka naman si ram sa tubig at nasakitan ako sa pagsalampak niya sa tubig na kinatawa ng iba kong kasamahan sa ginawa niyang kalokohan.

Lumalangoy lang si Aewa at napakagaling niyang tumambling at mag glide sa tubig na parang isda. Nakakalaway siyang tingnan dahil ang galing niyang lumangoy na parang sirena. Nag iihaw naman si Naea ng isda sa hinuli ni Ram at Nyne sa lawa. May mga fresh water fish naman at ginagamit nila ng palaso para mabilis ang pagkuha.

An hours passed. I sat down and put a blanket on komori. Sleeping. I saw Nyne sat at the shaded tree--concentrating, focusing the voice of nature ringing upon his ears. Aewa, on the other hand, sneaking through. I couldn't hear any sound; even the sound of the dried leaves she stepped on its just went silence.

A strike of lighting flash as Aewa release his kunai to Nyne and he immediately captured it on air while his eyes closed and threw it back to Aewa. And Aewa began to attacked him while in the middle of meditation. I admit their skills are incredible good lalo na si Nyne. He seems good at any weapons. Pareho silang nagtraining at ang tanging nagagawa ko ay natutunganga sa kanila. How can they even not lost any balance just using on foot or hands?

Aewa is all wet and wipe her sweat on her forehead. She tied up her hair and I was amused, she looks hot. Tumalikod siya at hinubad ang kanyang damit na kinasinghap ko sa bigla. Sira bat niya ginawa yun di man lang nagtago! She went on the lake and wash it off. Bilis akong kumuha ng damit at sinindot siya. Lumingon lang siya sakin at inabot ang damit. She just chuckles and tumayo sabay piga ng damit at nang humarap siya sakin sumingkit lang yung mata ko dahil dalawa yung likod niya. Pero di lang ako ang natulala pati rin si spike at naea na hinawakan ang kanyang walang lamang dibdib.

"Its gone!"-spike was in oblivion

Naglagay ng dahon ng saging si spike at dun nilagay ang mga kanin at isdang tinapa. Medyo mainit pa at hinitay lang namin sila para magsalo salo. Naghugas na agad ng kamay si komori. Famished. Ilang sandali ay umupo na ang lahat at sabay sabay na kaming tumingin. Napansin ko rin na nakatingin si aewa sakin at pilit ko siyang di pinansin kunwari di ko siya nakita.

Nanlalaki naman ang mata ko ng mawala siya sa kanyang kinauupuan at tumabi si Nyne at pumalit ng pwesto. Napansin ko nalang na tumabi sakin si Aewa.  "Why are you staring at me lately ela"-bigla niyang tanong and I can utter a word.

"Ahh-- nothing"

Oo nga no? Why am I starring at her mula pa kanina. Di naman ata tungkol sa flat siya. Kumain lang ako at nakatitig talaga siya sakin diretsyahan kulang nalang pati ako lamunin niya "Just ignore him Ela--"-Nyne said.

"HIM?!"

Silence creeps the woods. How can she be a he? A gorgeous woman is an handsome man. Aewa just sneered and standing at the barked after Nyne revealed his identity and hit his shoulders with a few chuckles. Napatingin nalang kaming lahat sa dalawang lalake. Aewa is a boy? My trust issue went terribly high.

He narrowed his eyes at me and I looked away; blowing my cheeks. Why this scene feels awkward. Maybe it was so sudden that his identity was revealed. I remember how he carried me like a bride and he looked away as he gave me a piece of cloth.

He brushed his hair that covers his face and the air began to whistled and his hair is dancing. He unbuttoned his shirt; revealing his chest. I just turn my attention back to komori and I heard a husky voice behind me. And I stilled in my spot as he brush his finger on my cheeks and I felt butterfly on my stomach. My mind shattered and I'm steaming.His too close!

"Ahemm! Aewa" Nyne interjected and Both of us glanced him. "I thought your gonna teach her.."

"Oh" Aewa stand and fumbled on his bag and later on drag me far away.

➖➖➖

Aewa had show me all of his acupuncture needles. They have different types of style and uses. And today he'll assist me on how properly used them. It feel good as he put them in my forehead and others in my body. I didn't even manage to asked his to agile and put them on me. I felt relaxed. Didn't knew that these needles are actually useful. He picked one of the needle and it has a tulip design on it and my heart when shocked as he glanced me, it was so deep and I feel that I almost flop on my spot. I hate that eyes! there's too much temptations in it. It's wrecking my innocent mind.

"Hey"

"Uh huh?" bumalik ako sa realidad

"This one can be fatal" he said while holding the needle and he grabbed me on my waist closer to him. And I went blank and I felt something came out of my nose

➖➖➖

But aside from being useful this needles can also be a deadly weapon. He pointed each of the skin where it could hit a nerves that can basically paralyze someone. Like example inserting this needle of a person's nape. And I just completely shock as he did insert one of the needle and I couldn't move my muscle. After he remove it I smack his ass and he just laughed it all.

"Gago!"

He didn't seem offended and teaches me more. Even self defense. Tinuro niya rin sakin ang paghit sa leeg with just my bare hands, because there are lots of pressure point incase for a self defence. Even with or without weapons I'll be able to protect myself alone. Tinuro niya sakin ang kanyang leeg at tamaan ko daw siya dun. Parang ichop lang ito ginawa ko naman at nabigla ako ng bumagsak siya sa lupa at nagthumbs up.

I followed his every command at sinasabayan siya, slowly move my body smoothly, He kicked and punch at sumabay din ako. He bend down at sumabay ako pero bumagsak lang ako.

His so flexible! Panong di niya nababali ang buto niya. Nahirapan akong istraight ang paa ko na sumipa hanggang umabot sa ulo ko at bumabalanse pero masakit talaga Siya sa hita.

He chuckles and I'm all sweat. Umupo siya at sumabay ako sa kanyang suminyas siya na ilahad ko ang braso ko sa kanya at may binibigkas siyang salita at he glide his hand and its chills to my bones.I suddenly get goosebump. Pero pinabayaan ko lang nakapikit siya at patuloy na may binibigkas na lenguahe na di pamilyar sakin. Hinilot niya rin ang likod ko hanggang sa paa ko at napansin ko ang paglagas ng kaunti niyang pulang buhok at umupo siya at bumuga ng malalim "I gave you my gift para sakaling magkahiwalay man tayong lahat. You'll be able to protect yourself"-Pawis na pawis at pagod talaga siya. After what happen back there. Parang di na siya ang Aewa na nakilala ko na laging nagtutwitching na parang silang plaka. He became serious after those incidents.

Pansin ko naman parang walang nagbabago sakin ano bang ginawa niya sakin kanina? Tumayo siya at hinubad and damit niya at uminit ang pisnge ko ng makita ko ang katawan niya medyo kinikiliti rin ako. Pilit ko nalang di pansinin iyon. Di ko talaga expect na lalake siya.

Bigla siyang tumabling sa harap ko at nabigla ako dahil muntikan pa akong matamaan ng paa niya "That one is monkey flip. I had to demonstrate this for you to dodge an attack and way easier "-nakatatlo siyang tumabling at napapalakpak ako sa kanya. "This are Arabian flip then Somersault "-tumabling naman siya na patagilid ng limang beses at paglanded niya at lumundag ang nasa ibaba niya at napasampal ako sa batok ko.Gagi ano yun? Ano yun! "Now you try--"

Natigil siya at natameme ng tawanan ko lang siya "Sira kaba nanuod lang ako di ko naman sinasabi na sumabay ako. Tsaka baka nakakalimutan mo kaibigan ako ni gravity"

"Just flip!"

"Di nga ako marunong--"

"Ah okay"-he grin and it made me chill to the bone. Hinasa niya ang isang patalim at napangiwi ako sa tunog "If i count to three. Run--- one, two, three!"

Nakita ko bigla ang isang kisap ng kutsilyo at napatabi ako at tumarak ito sa puno. Bumilis ang kaba ng aking dibdib sa ginawa niya. May lima siyang hawak at tumakbo lang ako ng itapon niya ang mga ito. Natatakot akong matamaan gagi anong training to papatayin na niya ako!

Lumilingon lang ako at pagkaharap ko ay isang puno at di na ako napatigil wala nang preno patuloy lang ako tumatakbo hanggang sa nabigla ako ng makalakad ako sa bark at nang umabot ako ng kalahati ng puno--i flip backward and landed on my feet and lost a few balance at napaupo ako.

"I-i back flip !"

"Congratulation!"-pagpapalakpak pa niya at napaluhod at hinahabol ang hininga "lakas tumakbo ng unanong to. Now do it again"

"Pano ba ulit?"